Mining companies supply public and private sectors with important geological materials and play a large role in technology and energy development. Here are some important terms used by these companies.

Active Workings – This is any place in which miners explore, travel or work. These areas are inspected and ventilated regularly.

Clean Coal Technologies – This term broadly refers to a number of innovative technologies that have been engineered to use this material in new, efficient ways. The goal is to explore cost-effective, environmentally safe ways of using it. Some examples of this type of engineering technology are integrated gasification combined cycle and liquefaction.

Competent Rock – This is an type of rock that, because it has specific physical and geological properties, can sustain mining openings with only pillars and walls.

Dragline Excavator – This is a large excavation machine that is used to surface mine. This machinery operates by removing layers of soil and rock to uncover mineral seams. This equipment casts a bucket out a considerable distance and pulls it back by using an attached wire. The bucket gathers earth back towards itself and dumps it away from the site.

Ground Pressure – This is a term that refers to the amount of pressure forced on surface and underground rock by the movements of the earth’s plates. Sometimes, the pressure is so great that rocks manage to deform and force themselves into an opening that is not adequately strengthened by artificial support.

Highwall Miner – This is a system operated by a company that uses remotely controlled devices to continually mine copper, lead, and other minerals. It extracts it and manages to move it via a system of chain or belt conveyers to the outside. The company may use several of these devices in different mines.

Mining companies not only dig underground to bring minerals like zinc, lead, iron, silver, gold, and uranium to the Earth's surface; they also have engineers, operators, and managers that are involved in exploration to help the company find ores, coal, and diamonds. If you own land that is rich in minerals and ores, then you might want to contact several mining companies listed in your online directory to help you determine which ones can give you the services that you need. When you contact the first mining company, you should ask them how long they have been in business. If they have several years of mining experience, then they should know the best methods for exploration and retrieval of base minerals. Ask the company's reps if you can talk to a manager to discuss the qualifications of their engineers and operators. If you decide the company has enough experience to do the job well, then you should ask them to give you a list of references. This will give you the opportunity to talk to other property owners that have used them before. Talking directly to them will help you determine how reliable the mining company really is instead of just taking the word of their managers and employees. Ask the company if you can hire their services or if they only use land that they own. This will give you the option of hiring them or selling your property. Get price quotes for both options to help you make the best deal.